Firearm case



Aug. 23, 1966 w. M. SIMPSON 3,268,130

FIREARM CASE Filed Oct. 24, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Wu r51? M. JIMPJ a fforrzey Aug. 23, 1966 w. M. SIMPSON FIREARM CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1963 INVENTOR.

W04 71/? M 5/MPJOV wyzey United States Patent 3,268,130 FIREARM CASE Walter M. Simpson, Evansville, Ind., assignor to Damon A. Vaughn, Dixon, Ky. Filed Oct. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 318,602 1 Claim. (Cl. 224-2) The present invention relates to a firearm case, and more particularly to a new and novel mounting structure for a firearm case which permits ease in carrying the case and, at the same time, provides ready accessibility to the firearm therein.

As is known, the carrying of a firearm in accordance with prior arrangements has presented various problems. For example, in the event of military personnel, as well as hunters, it was oftentimes quite difficult to get the firearm into action because of poor case design or other awkward carrying structures on the users person.

By virtue of the present invention, the applicant herein has provided a new and novel mounting structure for a firearm case where such case, and the firearm therein, is normally urged to a first carrying position by the instant mounting structure, and where, by simple rotational effort, the case is moved to a second removal position where the firearm may be readily withdrawn for fast action.

The instant invention provides a two-plate mounting structure, one plate positioned on the firearm case, while the other plate positioned on the belt for the firearm case. A torsion spring arrangement interconnects the aforesaid two plates so that an angled relationship is effected therebetween at a first position, providing the normal carrying of the firearm case at a rearwardly inclined position, and rotatable to a second forwardly directed position which permits the ready removal of a firearm from the firearm case.

More specifically, the applicants new and novel invention provides for the pivotal mounting of the firearm case on a belt which is positioned around the waist of the user so that, normally, the firearm case, and the firearm therein, is conveniently positioned on the users person away from interference, angled in a rearward direction. Thereafter, with a forward effort on the part of the user, the firearm case pivots, thereby providing ready access to the firearm therein, and, when released, as, for example, after the firearm is removed, the firearm case returns to its aforesaid original position.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel firearm case, which, through its mounting structure, readily pivots from a firearm carrying position to a firearm withdrawing position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a firearm case having a new and novel mounting structure defined by a minimum number of operable components which normally urge such firearm case, and, hence, a firearm therein, to a rearwardly inclined out-of-the-way position on the person of the user, but which is readily rotatable by the user to permit quick removal of the firearm for ready action.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel firearm case and mounting structure therefor which is readily positioned for use, where the overall case provides not only simplicity in manufacturing but highly effective results in such use.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially fragmentary, looking towards the belt forming part of the instant firearm case, showing details of the mounting structure thereof;

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FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing other details of such mounting structure;

FIG. 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken at line 33 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing details of securing one of the plates of the mounting structure onto the users belt;

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of the applicants new and novel firearm case, partially fragmentary, looking towards the case from the wearers person; and

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken at line 55 of FIG. 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing other details of the applicants new and novel invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the drawings, the applicants new and novel firearm case 10 comprises a generally elongated member III for receiving a firearm (not shown), a belt 12 adapted to encircle the waist of the user, and a mounting structure 15 interconnecting said member 11 and said belt 12. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the member 11 is broadly defined as a multi-layered piece of leather or like material which is folded to achieve a space for receiving a firearm where one edge 11a thereof is sewn to complete the assembled structure. As should be evident from FIG. 4, the lower portion of member 11 is tapered, in that same receives the narrow barrel portion of the firearm.

In a typical form of the invention, the belt 12 is made from a flexible material, being Woven or the like, and a buckle arrangement (not shown) is arranged at the free ends thereof so that the belt 12 can be secured around the waist of the user, in known fashion. In this regard, it might be noted that FIG. 4 illustrates the instant invention where the member 11 is disposed on the left side of the person wearing same.

In any event, and considering now the mounting struc ture 15, a plate 18 thereof is secured to the belt 12 through the use of conventional rivets 19, while cooperating plate 20 is secured to the member 11 through the same means. As should be apparent from FIG. 2, and also from FIG. 1, the plate 20 has raised arcuate sections 20a, separated by slot-like areas which secure ends 22b of torsion springs 22, for reasons which Will become more apparent from the discussion herebelow, and a raised peripheral band 20b which conceals the structure between the plates 18 and 20 after assembly.

'The aforesaid plates 18 and 20 are retained in assembled relation through an arrangement typically comprising an inwardly extending intern-ally threaded hub 20c on the plate 20, and a cooperating hollow projection which surrounds the hub 200. A fastening means 21, such as a screw, for example, is disposed over the hollow projection 18a and threaded into the hub 200 of the plate 20, where a washer 21a is also provided. In other words, the preceding arrangement is such that the plates 18 and 20 are rotatable with respect to each other, the outer surface and the inner surface of the hub 20c and projection 18a, respectively, serving such purpose in their sleeve-like relationship.

The assembly is further completed through the provision of raised arcuate segments 18c, disposed concentrically within the raised areuate sections 20a on the plate 20, and, additionally, by raised arcuate sections 18b, which are separated from each other by slot-like areas and are spaced apart from the hollow projection 18a of the plate 18.

The preceding structure is so arranged as to receive one or more torsion springs 22, where one end 22a of each spring 22 is adapted to be received in the slot-like areas between the raised arcuate sections 18b, and between suc'h sections 18b :and the hollow projection 18a of the plate 18. As noted above, the other free end 22b of each of the torsion springs 22 is adapted to be hooked onto an edge of the outer upstanding arcuate segments 180 on the plate 18, as well 'as to bear against such segments 18c after sufiicient t-urn path to create the desired force.

In assembly, the torsion springs 22 are disposed as described above, and the screw 21 and associated washer 21 positioned, so that the plates 18 and 20 are rotatalble with respect to each other, the amount of rotation being dependent, for example, upon the aforesaid torsion spring turn path, and the strength, as well as the number, of such torsion springs employed.

Prior to the assembly of the mounting structure 15, as explained in the-previous paragraphs, the plates 18 and 20 are each respectively secured to the belt 12 and to the elongated member 11 forming components of the instant firearm case. In a typical embodiment of the invention, and as noted hereabove, the plates 18 and 20 are secured by rivets 19 in their desired position; however, other securing means may be employed, as, for example, disposing same in pockets defined in the elongated member 11 and in the belt 12, where sewing accomplishes the desired positioning effect.

In any event, after assembly, the instant firearm case tilts preferably away from the front of the user thereof. In other words, such firearm case, and the firearm contained therein, is available for instant use, but does not interfere with normal activities of the user.

When it is desired to withdraw the firearm from such case, the unit is tilted forwardly, and the firearm readily used. Thereafter, the firearm case returns by itself, by rotating, to its normal position of the figures, and, subsequently, the firearm may be readily replaced therein, either at such position or prior to movement thereto.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicant has provided a new and novel firearm case and mounting structure therefor, where such firearm case is rotatable through a range of positions for ready use, and where, through a minimum number of operative components, elfective usage is always accomplished. The above-described assembly is, however, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, and as indicated, alternative securing means may be employed, as well as different numbers of springs having various magnitudes of strength. Thus, the preceding description should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A device comprising a firearm case, a carrying belt, and means pivotally mounting said case to said belt about an axis extending in a direction normal to the belt surface, said mounting rneans including a first plate fixed to said belt, a second plate adjacent said first plate, said second plate fixed to the side of said case and pivotal about said mentioned axis, equally spaced outer projections secured to said second plate and directed towards said first plate, equally spaced inner projections secured to said first plate and directed towards said second plate, said projections serving to space said plates, and torsion springs located between said plates and extending about said axis, each spring being connected at one end to an inner projection and at the other end to an outerprojection.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,904,769 4/ 1933 Skillman. 2,960,790 11/1960 Pullen 2242 3,107,833 10/1963 Vaughn 2245 GERALD M; FORLENZA, Primary Examiner. MORRIS TEMIN, Examiner.

M. WOLSON, I. E. OLDS, Assistar zt Examiners. 

